Better Brick Nepal (BBN) works under the larger NGO, Global Fairness Initiatives, to promote the reliably sourced brick manufacturing by eliminating forced, bonded labor, and child labor, promoting workplace safety and health, providing fair wages, and preventing workplace harassment. The brick industry is regarded as the second largest source for air pollution after vehicle emissions in Kathmandu Valley. The brick kiln workers who live on the kiln premises in huts are highly exposed to both indoor and outdoor air pollution. This study reviewed the practices of BBN kilns that adhere to recommended standards for worker rights, health and safety. An NGO such as BBN is proving successful at eliminating inhumane work practices and in improving brick kiln worker health and safety.
References
[1]
Health Research and Social Development Forum (2016) Brick Kilns in Nepal—A Situational Report.
[2]
Shaikh, S., Nafees, A.A., Khetpal, V., Jamali, A.A., Arain, A.M. and Yousuf, A. (2012) Respiratory Symptoms and Illnesses among Brick Kiln Workers: A Cross Sectional Study from Rural Districts of Pakistan. BMC Public Health, 12, 999.
https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-12-999
[3]
Singh, A.L. and Asgher, M.S. (2005) Impact of Brick Kilns on Land Use/Landcover Changes around Aligarh City, India. Habitat International, 29, 591-602.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.habitatint.2004.04.010
[4]
(2017) Global Fairness Initiative Nepal—Annual Report 2016-2017. Global Fairness Initiative Nepal. http://globalfairness.org/images/gfinepalannualreport.pdf
[5]
Raut, A. (2003) Brick Kilns in Kathmandu Valley: Current Status, Environmental Impacts and Future Options. Himalayan Journal of Sciences, 1, 59-61.
https://doi.org/10.3126/hjs.v1i1.189
[6]
Thygerson, S., Sanjel, S. and Johnson, S. (2016) Occupational and Environmental Health Hazards in the Brick Manufacturing Industry in Kathmandu Valley, Nepal. Occupational Medicine & Health Affairs, 4, 248.
https://doi.org/10.4172/2329-6879.1000248
[7]
Zimmerman, C. and Kiss, L. (2017) Human Trafficking and Exploitation: A Global Health Concern. PLoS Medicine, 14, e1002437.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pmed.1002437
[8]
Ottisova, L., Hemmings, S., Howard, L.M., Zimmerman, C. and Oram, S. (2016) Prevalence and Risk of Violence and the Mental, Physical and Sexual Health Problems Associated with Human Trafficking: An Updated Systematic Review. Epidemiology and Psychiatric Sciences, 25, 317-341.
https://doi.org/10.1017/S2045796016000135
[9]
Zimmerman, C., Kiss, L., Hossain, M. and Watts, C. (2009) Trafficking in Persons: A Health Concern Ciencia & Saude Coletiva, 14, 1029-1035.
https://doi.org/10.1590/S1413-81232009000400010
